Natural History Museum

MICC fire survival cable protects Natural History Museum fire alarm system more than 15 years after installation

Project Overview

The Natural History Museum is one of the UK’s most recognisable Grade I listed heritage buildings, housing more than 80 million objects and welcoming millions of visitors each year. Protecting a building of this scale and significance requires life safety systems that can continue operating when they are needed most.
In 2009, Wrexham Mineral Cables supplied 2-core 1.5mm² red Mineral Insulated Copper Clad (MICC) cable for the museum’s fire alarm system, providing fire survival protection for critical alarm circuits within the historic building.
More than 15 years after installation, the MICC cable continues to support the museum’s fire alarm infrastructure, helping protect one of Britain’s most important heritage collections.

Challenge

For buildings containing irreplaceable heritage, public spaces and nationally significant collections, fire alarm infrastructure needs to remain reliable during a genuine fire event.
The project required a robust fire performance cable capable of maintaining critical fire alarm circuits under fire conditions, while remaining suitable for installation within the historic fabric of a Grade I listed building.

Solution

MICC cable was selected for its robust copper construction, compact diameter and proven ability to maintain circuit integrity during a fire.
Its fire survival performance made it well suited to protecting a building where continuity of alarm systems is essential. Contractor representative Mark Neish explained that MICC was selected for its robust construction, smaller diameter and, most importantly, its fire performance.

Results

• Fire alarm system protected by proven MICC fire survival cable.
• 2-core 1.5mm² red MICC cable supplied for critical alarm circuits.
• Robust, compact cabling installed within a Grade I listed heritage building.
• Fire alarm infrastructure designed to remain operational during a true fire event.
• Long-standing technical support delivered through WMC and CEF.
• Installation continues to protect the museum more than 15 years after commissioning.

Mark Neish also noted that his local CEF branch had supplied WMC’s MICC cable for several years and continued to choose Wrexham Mineral Cables because of the service and technical support provided.

More than 15 years after installation, WMC’s MICC cable continues to support critical fire alarm infrastructure within one of Britain’s most important heritage buildings, demonstrating the long-term reliability and fire survival performance required for life safety applications.

Download the full Natural History Museum case study.